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The Regal Cinema Cranleigh, Surrey
Texts by Bernard Tonks, who was the last person to run this cinema
The Regal opened on October 30th 1936 seating 466 on one floor
There was a small stage with two sets of stage & screen curtains
Gaumont Eclipse projectors & British Acoustics sound
Modernised in 1954 but retaining 1930s art deco
New Ross projectors with RCA sound were installed
In 1970 new Westar projectors were installed with 2nd hand Peerless carbon arcs
The RCA amplifier was changed to an old Western Electric amplifier
Over the years seating was replaced and reduced to 266 seats
I ran the cinema from February 1978 until closure on March 14th 2002, the last film being "Gosford Park"
Now demolished the site now consists of 13 flats named Pavilion Court
Before the Regal there was the very tiny Pavilion silent cinema opposite the Common
The Pavilion was replaced in the centre of the village by the Picture House also silent, later renamed the Central
Talking pictures were only from 1930 until closure in 1935.
The Picture House / Central Cinema opened around 1913
Piano and violin accompanied films
Talking pictures were introduced in 1930 but there were sound problems when it rained on the tin roof, and when steam trains passed closely by the level crossing
 F O H
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 Left side of Foyer
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 Cash desk & Kiosk
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 Auditorium
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 Auditorium Tabs open
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 Decorative grills
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 Projection Box
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 Effects Lantern
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 Colour effects
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 Slide Lantern
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 Automation board
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 Non - Sync
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 Demolition Pic 1
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 Demolition Pic 2
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 Demolition Pic 3
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 Demolition Pic 4
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 Central Cinema prog
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 Central Cinema demolition
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